Schools been great, there's way too much homework though. Classes are getting alot better now, I think the basics are finally over. Quidditch tryouts are starting next Sunday too! I'm sure James will get the seeker position but I'm still excited for him! You wouldn't believe how smart Rose and Tom are, they're top in almost everything! Tom already knows our whole charms book off by heart! And our first transfiguration class, he turned a needle into a snake, and then into a bunny rabbit! You should have seen the way Rosie was looking at him, I wouldn't be surprised if I saw them snogging in a closet pretty soon. Haha! I think we get to start flying pretty soon too, they haven't set a date yet, but its supposed to be sometime beggining of next month. Hows Lily doing? Does she miss us yet? She must be driving you crazy right about now!
Actually, I wanted to write to you for another reason too, during one of our History of Magic classes Tom fell asleep, cant really blame him though, I was just about there myself. Anyways, I remember you saying something about wierd dreams you had that actually came true. He had something like that, except he was in a graveyard. He was in front of who he thinks is his fathers tomb. Well, this is the wierd part, when he woke up, he had a strange mark on his hand, and it was bleeding badly. He just wanted to know what you thought. Say hi to everyone for me, and hope to hear from you soon.
Oh, and sorry about the swamp, I'll try not to let it happen again. Haha
Love Albus
This was not good, the evidence just kept on piling higher and higher. Could this be considered coincidence any more? The boy was an enigma in himself. First the same name, the scar, and then the dreams! Something in the letter caught his eye, "turned a needle into a snake"...a snake... Parseltongue! He was the only one left alive that controlled that gift, unless the boy was indeed related to Voldemort, or Voldemort wasn't truely gone. It was a theory easily checked. Next time he saw Tom, he would put it to the test, but right now, he had to act. The first task would be convincing his wife.
Two day, Rose thought miserably, two days and he still wasn't found. She felt terrible, why did she have to force him to come to Hagrids, he was right, Hagrid despised him and wouldn't tell anyone why! She had cried all night because of that, and lately it didn't take much to get her started up again. Both Albus and Hugo refused to even talk to Hagrid, which was extremely hard because he was their Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Tom had missed every single one of his classes, so the teachers started an active role in his search. It was then that Rose had told Headmistress McGonnagal what had happened hoping it might help, McGonnagal had seemed deeply disturbed.
Classes had finished for the day, and she was sitting on a chair, staring into the dancing flames of the fire. Ocassionally she gave hopeful glances when the door swung open, but it was never Tom. Albus and Hugo often came over to talk to her, James had also tried to cheer her up as he set off a couple of his Weasley Fireworks, but he had little success. Soon the common room began to empty, and she sat alone once again staring into the fire.
Tom had no idea how much time had passed, the room had no clocks or windows, but he really didn't care. He hadn't slept at all since he had been in here. His stomach often told him he was hungry, but he ignored that too. He had spent all his time staring at the book, flipping pages, hoping for the slightest inkling of a clue to who his mother was. There was nothing there, he was sure of that now. Leaving the book on the table, he got up to leave. As he stepped out into the corridors, it appeared to be night. He had only gone a couple steps before he heard his name.
"Tom?"
He looked around to see a none other than Headmistess McGonnagal staring warily at him.
"Come with me." She said in a soft, but authoritative voice. He had no choice but to follow. She led him into her office and told him to sit down.
"Where were you?" She asked
"Busy" Tom replied noticing that she had gone quite pale at his answer. She remained silent, so he took his advantage. "What happened to my father?" She turned paler still.
"Have you seen him then?" She asked in a quiet voice that was unlike her. The question, however, caught him off guard.
"He's dead, isn't he?"
"Yes, yes of course, how silly of me" she replied very unconvincingly.
"So you know what happened to him then?" he said
"No, I'm sorry, but I have no idea." McGonnagal answered quickly. She was not being honest, and for some reason, it made him angry.
"Your lying!" Tom yelled standing up, she seemed to have lost another shade of colour.
"Do not talk to me like that young man! Your dismissed, go back to your common room" she said, adding "Now!" when he didn't move. Still he stood there glaring at her, he wanted an answer.
"Mr. Riddle, you are on borderline suspension as it is, dont push it!" She stated. Tom had no choice but to leave.
Finally Tom left, when the door slammed shut, she relaxed her grip on her wand. The encounted had left her completely unnerved, her whole body was shaking. She had got what she wanted out of the conversation though, he was not in contact with voldemort... yet, but she had let slip something else that could do much harm to everyone. The idea that his father may be still alive might make Tom seek out his lost father, and that could prove disasterous! She quickly wrote out a letter, threw some powder into the fire and said House of Black before throwing the letter into into the emerald green flames. She sat back down and poured herself a glass of wine.
Tom left seething with anger, why couldn't they just tell him what he wanted to know! Still he at least knew something now, his father may still be alive!
He had no idea where to go, his only clue had been the graveyard, and that could have been anywhere. Why couldn't his dream have showed him a name, a place, something tangible he could work with, but it had offered him nothing. He made his way up to the griffindor common room, and stood face to face with the portrait of the fat lady.
"Rosewood", he said.
"Sorry, but the passwords been changed." The Fat Lady said.
"I don't know the stupid new password, come on, let me in!" Tom yelled feeling rage building inside of him.
"Sorry, those are the rules." Tom began to hammer at the wall.
"Hey, hey! Stop it!" The Fat Lady yelled as her frame shook, knocking her off balance. After a couple of seconds, the door opened and he found himself face to face with Rose.
"Tom?" she asked sleepily, a couple seconds passed, "Tom! It is you!" He was suddenly knocked off his feet as she jumped to give him a hug. All his anger seemed to vanish.
"Oh, Tom, I've been so worried, I'm so sorry I took you to Hagrids, I didn't know he'd act like that. You were right about everything, I can't..." Tom had reached behind her head and drawn her into a deep kiss. It took a second for Rose to realize what was happening, but when she did, she returned it wholeheartedly. Finally pulling back, Rose blushed, and they both realized where they were.
"I'll just wait until your finished then, shall I" the fat lady said grumpily, glaring at Tom.
Getting up, they walked into the common room, and took a seat by the fire.
"You look terrible you know" Rose stated, Tom laughed
"Thanks"
"Listen, I really am sorry about everything" Rose began, but Tom stopped her.
"Dont be, if it wasn't for you, I would have never found my family" Rose looked up in surprise as Tom explained where he had been the past two days, he told her about the book, that he was related to the great Salazar Slytherin and about the mistake in the book, how it was missing his mother. Rose was a very good listener, and it was so easy to confide in her. After his story, he suddenly realized how tired he was, he bade her a good night. Tom went to sleep, their kiss still firmly planted in his mind. He was smiling, smiling for the first time in days.
Tom was back in the graveyard, but this time it was different. No fog obsecured his vision, in fact, he could see rows and rows of graves, many of which had large chunks blasted off of them. It appeared a battle had taken place here, but a long time ago Tom judged by the amount of moss grown on the tomb fragments littering the ground. All the statues were as he had seen in his previous dream, all except one. The angel of death was just a rock, no glowing red eyes, no black cloak, and certainly no vortex sucking him in, in fact, the place looked perfectly ordinary. The graveyard was surrounded by what looked like large iron-wrought pikes, giving it a somewhat menacing look. The only way in was through a large gate that was chained tight. Above was a sign, Hangleton cemetary. Staring at the name, his body began to shake, and his world dissolved around him.
"Tom! Tom wake up!" a voice yelled.
"Wha-what?" Tom said groggily, his vision began to clear. "Whats wrong?"
"Tom where were you! Wait till Rose sees, she's been worried sick." Albus still had his arms on Tom's Sholders. Hugo was glaring at him from his bed.
"Umm, hey" Tom said.
"Ya, I'll give you hey, you stupid git" Hugo mumbled quietly, yet still very audiable to Tom.
"What's your problem," Tom asked.
"Whats my problem! It's you, your my problem!" Hugo yelled effectively waking his other two roommates, and possibly the ones on the floor above and below them. "Do you have any idea what you've put my sister through! Crying non-stop for the past two days! Worried sick that you were gone, possibly killed, and thinking it would be all her fault! I'm positive she hasn't slept a wink, and what have you been doing?!?"
"Well, for starters, I found my family. And mate, as for Rose, I really am sorry, I already talked to her last night."
"You found your... talked last night...Wha-What!" Hugo spluttered out.
"Pretty simple mate" Albus said cheerfully, " he found out who his parents were, came back to the common room to find Rose waiting for him, and by the look on his face every time you say her name, snogged her. Now, who wants to go get some breakfast, no offence, but you look like you could use some food right about now" Albus finished, nodding to Tom. Albus left, and Hugo looked about ready to explode, so Tom quickly followed. Entering the common, he saw Rose sitting on the couch.
"Hey Rose, so is Tom a good kisser?" Albus asked slyly.
"Tom, you told them?!?" Rose said angrily.
"Nope, but you just did, just making sure" Albus said with his brothers grin.
"So, I suppose Hugo knows? When'd you tell him". Rose asked.
"About a minute ago" Albus said seriously. Rose looked scared, glancing at the stairs, as if expecting it to explode.
"We'd better get out of here" she said grabbing Tom's hand, and dragging him out of the common room.
"Hugo can't be that bad, can he? Tom asked a little shaken now. The look she gave him was enough.
"Why'd you tell him then?" Tom asked Albus.
"Believe me, the sooner you tell him the better, if you dont tell him, and he find out, it get's ugly. He always finds out in the end. He's a bit..."
"of a git" Rose finished
"Well, I was going to say overprotective, but that fits too, he probably wont come down from the common room till classes start though. That should give him enough time to cool down."
As they entered the Great Hall, the smell of bacon, eggs, toast and porrage filled the air. Tom had only realized that he was famished. Taking a seat, he managed to down three helping of just about everything. As he finished, the owl post came in, he really didn't care though, he didn't have any outside contacts to send him letters. Albus, however, was untying a small bundle of letters.
"Oh, Tom, heres a letter for you." Albus handed him the envolope with his name clearly written on it. " It's probably Dad's reply, c'mon open it". Ripping open the envolope, Tom took out the parchament.
Dear Tom
It is true that I have had experiences with dreams like yours, and all I can do is give you my advise, though I am sure you will not like it. First off, I would advise you to forget aboutthat graveyard, only very strong and very dark magic could have affected reality from a dream. I'd like to see that rune on your hand though. My second bit of advise you will hate, but here it is. Forget about your birth parents, that end will only lead to pain and misery. I do not say this out of hate, but out of genuine worry because I know what is at the end of that tunnel. On a lighter note, Rose sent us a letter asking if you could stay over Christmas holidays, you are more than welcome.
Harry Potter
"Wow, he didn't help much" Albus said reading over Tom's shoulder. "Oh well, it was worth a try. I'm, sure we'll be able to sneak it out of him during Christmas." Tom passed the letter to Rose who was eyeing it curiously.
"Excellent, my mom's the best cook, your gunna love Christmas dinner at our house." She said happily.
As Tom returned to classes, life continued as usual. After a couple of weeks, Hugo started talking to him again. Tom and Rose were often seen sneaking away to some deserted room. James had made the Griffindor's seeker position in quidditch, and the first match of the season was approaching. The first years had even started their flying lessons. Tom wasn't bad... after a while. Still he was no match for Rose and Hugo who were swerving in and out of each other, pulling off seemingly impossible turns at the last second when Tom was sure they were going to collide. Even Albus couldn't help showing off a bit as he did some impressive arial acrobatics. In fact, the only thing that bothered Tom at all was the ever present curiosity of the graveyard. It was the link to his parents, he knew it. He also often thought about Harry's letter, why should he stay away from his family? Every person deserves to know who his parents are.
Soon the air began to grow bitter and leaves began to fall off the trees. One morning, the students woke up to a thick blanket of snow. Winter had approched very quickly. Classes were not too different, Tom had already returned Professor Flitwits 5th grade charm book, and had borrowed the 6th grade version. Even transfiguration, he had managed to vanish himself completely, something that wasn't to be expected till newt level. Defence against the Dark Arts went on as usual, the teacher, Professor Brogs, however, kept Tom at the first year level even though he found it extrememly easy. Tom had taken a couple of books out from the library which contained what he thought were useful curses and hexes. Herbology was slowly getting better as Rose worked him throught it, he found himself much more patient with the plants and they seemed to respond to his change.
Tom woke up one day to realize Christmas was only a week away. He hadn't even gotten any gifts yet, he only had around 45 muggle dollars to his name. His parents had left him with nothing, Tom thought angrily. He didn't even know how he was going to afford his next year at hogwarts. Suddenly had an idea, he knew what to get everyone, except for Rose. He needed something special for Rose, but what he wanted for Rose, there just wasn't enough time. Still, if he started it now, he might get it in time for Rose's birthday, three months after christmas. Tom spent all his spair time preparing his presents, in fact, his friends often thought he had just dissapeared from Hogwarts again. He was there for classes, but then gone. Tom had spent much of his time in the library reading through books, a couple he had to beg Professor Bones to allow him to take them out, as they were in the restricted section. After explaining his theory, she reluctantly agreed. In a flash, Tom found hiself packing for his trip to the Potters, he had a sense of deep satisfaction, he had finished every present but Roses, but that one he knew he didn't have a hope of finishing in time.
"Ready to go?" Albus asked.
"Ya, I think so" Tom said scanning his room for anything he was missing. He pointed his wand at his truck and thought, 'Wingardian Leviosa'.
"Showoff" Hugo said, "not all of us can do that y'know."
"What?" Tom asked
"Cast non-verbal spells, thats 6th year stuff."
"Oh sorry", Tom had been doing silent spells all through the year, it was just second nature to him now.
"Never mind, and were not going by train, so you can put that trunk down." Hugo stated
"So how are we going then, are we flying?"
"That would take way too long, were going by floo." stated Albus.
Led by Albus, the group made their way up towards the Headmistress's office, She sat at her desk, and without looking up, said
"You know what to do." Albus grabbed some of the powder from a pot above the fireplace, and threw it into the fire, it turned emerald green. Stepping into it, he yelled.
" Number 12 Grimmauld Place" and vanished. Hugo followed next.
"Oh, the passwords rigimortus when you get there." Rose said, and was gone. Picking up some Floo powder, he threw it into the fire. Stepping in, he felt a pleasant heat on his skin.
"Number 12 Grimmauld Place" and the office spun out of sight. He landed at a blocked fireplace, and spoke the password Rose had given him. Both the Weasley and Potter family were waiting, it appeared James was already there.
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